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Delta College promotes training for in-demand careers

By the Midland Daily News

Published 7:30 am, Friday, January 3, 2014

Delta College is partnering with the Michigan Economic Development Corp. and a network of community colleges around the state to promote training opportunities for in-demand careers to Michigan high school students.

“Today, too few workers have the skills needed to meet the demands of employers in the new economy. One of the most common issues is around the lack of knowledge that high school students have about in-demand careers and training programs,” said Gov. Rick Snyder. “Through the Career Jump Start Program, we will encourage students to consider training opportunities that will provide them with critical work skills for those high-demand careers.”

Created as a response to feedback received at the Governor’s Economic and Education Summits last year, the Career Jump Start Program is intended to address the talent gap facing Michigan employers by promoting high-demand career paths to students. Through a network of Michigan’s community colleges, Michigan Works! agencies, employers, trade unions, chambers and other key organizations, the initiative will educate high school students about associate’s degree programs, apprenticeships and other training opportunities for occupations that are in high demand by employers.

Delta College and community colleges in 10 regions around the state will house “career liaison specialists” who will provide resources to high school counselors, administrators, parents and teachers about post-high school training programs that will prepare students for in-demand occupations. Tiffany Sheppard is the career liaison for Region 5, which is made up of eight counties in mid-Michigan.

“Delta College is very pleased to support improved connectivity between employers and the K-12 system,” said Dr. Jean Goodnow, Delta president. “Through this program Michigan’s high school graduates will be more informed about, and linked to, high-demand career options.”

“By making Michigan students aware of today’s high-demand jobs and the training programs that will prepare them for those jobs, we are ensuring the continued growth of Michigan’s economy,” said Michael A. Finney, president and CEO of the MEDC. “Career Jump Start is focused on meeting employer needs and will support ways to connect employers, educators and students, building Michigan’s workforce together.”

The regional career liaisons will be housed at the following organizations in addition to Delta College: Alpena Community College, Bay de Noc Community College, Grand Rapids Community College, Jackson College, Kalamazoo Valley Community College, Lansing Community College, Mott Community College, North Central Michigan College, and The Workforce Intelligence Network.